Map

Godinton House is a few minutes drive from Junction 9 off the M20. From Junction 9, follow signs for Lenham, A20. About a ¼ mile after the second roundabout, there is a signpost for the house on the left-hand side (opposite the Hare & Hounds public house).

A taxi ride from Ashford International Railway Station takes 10 minutes and costs approximately £6.

The 123 bus runs from Ashford Town Centre, County Square (Stop K) and stops opposite the Hare and Hounds public house after about 20 minutes. It is then a short walk along Godinton Lane to the North Lodge gates.

Disabled Access

Partial disabled access around the garden. Disabled access to ground floor of house and tearoom but no access to first floor. Disabled WC near ticket office, please note no disabled WC in the house or inside tearoom.

Tearoom

The Tearoom in the house serves a selection of excellent homemade cakes and cream teas. We do not offer a lunch or savoury menu.

The Tearoom in the house is only available to visitors to the house or gardens Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays.

Refreshments are available from the ticket office and outside tearoom daily from 1pm – 5pm during our open season.

Toilets

Toilets are available to House & Garden visitors and are located near the ticket office. Please note there are no toilets in the main house or inside tearoom.

Shop

No shop, but a number of plants are for sale outside the ticket office.

Picnics

Picnics are allowed on the grass next to the car park or in the area near the ticket office but not in the formal gardens except during our special picnic evenings.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed in the house or garden, but can be taken on leads around the conservation walk that circles the house and garden. Assistance dogs are permitted with relevant documentation.

Parking

Two large hard standing car parks and parking for two coaches (coaches must book, Monday to Thursday only).

Special Events

Many events go on throughout the year, see the What’s On page for more information or contact us.

Ownership

In 1991 Alan Wyndham Green established the Godinton House Preservation Trust with a board of Trustees, to secure the future of Godinton House and its contents, grounds and parkland ‘for the public benefit’. Mr Wyndham Green made it clear when he created the Trust that he did not want the house to become an impersonal museum after his death. The Trustees will continue to honour his wishes, incorporated in the Trust Deed, to preserve Godinton for the benefit, appreciation and education of the public; in short, to continue the sound stewardship of this fascinating and hospitable house and estate as it moves into the next chapter of its long history, not simply as a museum but as a living house, gardens and estate.

Vacancies

Grant Funded Heritage Internship
August 2019 to August 2020

Godinton House is offering a rare opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to learn all aspects of running an historic house and gardens open to the public. The position will enable you to gain valuable experience at the start of your career in dealing with visitors, events, collections and management of the associated estate of farms, woodland, residential and commercial property.

You will be part of a small team in the house reporting to the Estate Manager and working closely with the Administrator and Housekeeper. You will be involved with opening the house to the public, guided tours, school visits and events, some financial work and general office administration. You will gain a broad overview of the business of a small historic estate, including estate management and charitable trusts.

You will have the chance to work with specialists, visit other properties nearby, attend training courses; you will be encouraged to develop particular areas of interest.

This is a live-in position for a period of one year starting August 2019. You will be provided with a private bedroom and bathroom, the kitchen and sitting room are shared with the garden trainee. A training grant of £700 a month is paid.

Average of 40 hours a week including some weekends and evenings, hours will vary depending on house opening, events etc. 20 working days holiday per annum.

Requirements

Education of Level 5 and above with an interest in history, conservation, tourism, heritage property and estate management preferred.

A practical, flexible person willing to take responsibility, learn new skills and develop a particular interest or specialism related to an aspect of the work at Godinton.

A quick learner with a can-do attitude, the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Photography

The taking of photographs, videos, etc. for commercial purposes in this garden is forbidden without the prior permission of the Estate Manager. Licences must be applied for in advance and a licence fee paid. The use of tripods or similar equipment likely to interfere with the viewing of other garden visitors is also not permitted.

Filming and photography is not permitted in the house.

The Godinton Charitable Trust

Overview
A grant making trust supporting local Kentish charities, community organisations or similar good causes focused on Ashford and the surrounding area.
The Trust does not support large national or international charities or individuals in fund raising.

How to Apply
To make an application please contact Nick Sandford either by post or email.
The Godinton Charitable Trust, Godinton House, Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP.
office@godintonhouse.co.uk

Please provide a short introduction to your charity or organisation, the reason for and amount requested, brief information on finances and fund raising efforts. Please do not send long reports or sets of accounts. If further details are required we will request them.

Decisions
Suitable applications are considered twice a year by the Trustees. Generally grant sizes range from £250 to £5,000.

History
The Godinton Charitable Trust (GCT) was set up in 1974 by the late Alan Wyndham Green, who inherited Godinton House and Estate in 1952. The Trust was founded with generous gifts of land in 1974, 1986 and 1989. This land was required for development by Ashford Borough Council and Mr Wyndham Green wanted the proceeds for charitable purposes.
When Alan Wyndham Green died in 1996 the Charitable Trust provided funding for the renovation of Godinton House, Gardens and

Estate.
The charity is a privately funded grant-making charity. Trustees have discretion as to the application of its income or capital for charitable objects or purposes, it was always the intention of the Settlor to provide long-term endowment and continued support if necessary for its associated charity, The Godinton House Preservation Trust.